Yesterday, Hallmark Channel announced that host Cristina Ferrare would be replaced as co-host by regular contributor Debbie Matenopoulos. The cable channel didn’t specify when the change would take place.
Today, co-host Mark Steines made a quick announcement that Ferrare had left the show and that Matenopoulos would be replacing her, effective immediately. Ferrare hadn’t been on the show for two weeks and didn’t return for a send-off.
Fans of the show have been concerned if Ferrare was sick and have been wondering if the decision to leave was her decision. On her Facebook page, Ferrare confirmed that she is not sick and essentially says that she was fired. She wrote:
Okay here goes, I feel it’s important to finally step up to the plate and let you know what is happening.
First may I say that my family and I have been so thankful and appreciative for all the love, support, prayers, and good wishes you have been sending me on a daily basis for the past three weeks. It pained me so that I was unable to let you know what was going on out of respect for everyone on Home and Family and the Network. I was asked to wait and I have but now I feel I should out of respect for YOU let you know.
It’s really very simple, Home and Family will have a season 5 which I am so happy for and the Network decided that they want a new co-host and that will be Debbie. She will do a great job!
You can still reach me here on facebook and we shall continue honoring love of family and friends. I truly LOVE you all. You have been my rainbow!
What do you think? Are you sorry that Ferrare is no longer a co-host on Home & Family? Will you continue to watch? Should the show be cancelled or, is Ferrare’s replacement a good idea?
I will no longer be watching Home & Family. Christina is Home & Family!!!! Families don’t do this to each other. She did not even get to say goodbye!!!! Most of us thought she was on vacation. Big mistake, shame on you. This is suppose to be a Christian network. Do unto others…..not watching any longer. Love you Christina God bless you. You have integrity.
I think the way this was handled speaks volumes about this show and network! I have always loved the show and much of what comes on the network, but this is just sad. Christina was well loved by the viewers. Cast mates should take note, they could easily be next. A poor decision for sure. I won’t be watching anymore and unfollowing on Pintrest. Shameful….
I guess I disagree with most of your viewers because I was thrilled that Christina was gone! I stopped watching because of her and hope that Debbie will be a good replacement! Will start watching again because I do think it is a good show! I loved Paige and hated when she left, wish you could have stayed on! I know so many of the viewers are disappointed kind of how I felt when Paige left but I wish Debbie all the best! I feel bad for Mark having to adjust to different personalities to co host with! Good luck… Read more »
You have lost another viewer.Christina made the show !
I have chosen not to watch your show any more. Shame on you!
I will no long watch Home and Family. Christina made that show not Debbie. I love that Christina represented the older woman. You have made the wrong decision. I am out until you bring Christina back.
Shame on you Hallmark. She was your show. She had class, integrity, respect. etc. She was too old? How dare you! Home and Family my …….. Maybe Woody should go also. I won’t be watching
Shame on you Hallmark for handling it this way. To imply Christina was on vacation was a lie. You have lost a viewer, as I felt Christina made the show, ….and I’m glad I don’t collect your Christmas ornaments any longer!
Hallmark, shame for letting Christina go. Her wisdom, life experience, fashion sense and flair for fun added so much richness to the show. Her interaction with Mark and others was positive, pleasant, and certainly playful! I thought the show was perfect. Debbie seems like she is on speed she is so hyperactive! I enjoyed the short segments she did, but now as host she is too much for too long. Now the show keeps me on edge and I’m not sure I will be able to continue watching. Watch out Kym and the Brit whose name I can’t remember at… Read more »
It’s so wrong that Cristina is no longer on. the show. It was handled horribly. She was the grace and warmth of the show. Now it is just screeching and people talking over each other. What Cristina brought to the show can’t be taught it is just an inate sense of kindness. Hallmark once again has sold out to greed. I have no desire to watch a show about home and family when an integral part of the fami,y has been kicked to the curb.
I was truly shocked to hear that Christina Ferrare would no longer be on Home & Family. I have watched the show for four years and loved the connection between all the regulars, especially Christina & Mark. It was not phony at all, there was a true affection for each other that showed. Now, the happiness is fake! Do you think your viewers are stupid? Not only were you disrespectful to your audience by not being up front about the change but the whole format of the show has changed, in just a few sad weeks. I know that advertisers… Read more »
I really miss Christina on H & F. I still watch the show but now it’s all about the younger women. Crafts aren’t as good, Just wonder how long it will be before they kick Mark off.??? What it all comes down to is money, well when people stop watching H & F and the rates go down the money won’t be there.
Biggest mistake was getting rid of Christina and the way they did it was oh so wrong.
Once again a co-host with class is replaced with a younger person just for the sake of ‘younger’. Debbie is good in small doses but a whole show with her is too much. I may still record it but that is so I can fast forward through more of it.
Cristina wa truly the class that made the show. Hallmark should reconsider their decision but they won’t because then they would because the “powers that be” would be admitting they made a wrong decision. These are the kind of decisions that will be the start of the decline and then the sow will be cancelled.
Boo, Hallmark! She was fantastic!! You’ve lost another viewer!